I've posted this query to CircPlus, so please excuse the cross-posting.

We are starting to grapple with some thorny issues to determine whether =
or not to introduce media equipment for public use into the library. We =
would appreciate responses from public libraries which have carrels or =
equipment already, so that we can at least begin to decide exactly what =
direction to take.

Here are a few of our questions:

What kind of equipment do you provide the public for use in the library? =
VCRs? DVD players? Compact Disc music players? Tape players? Other?

Who uses the equipment in the library? Parents and children? After =
school student use? Adults?

Is the equipment high end stuff or inexpensive (like boom boxes)? Where =
do you purchase your equipment (i.e., catalogs, the local discount =
house, etc.)?

Do you have special furniture for the equipment? What kind?

Does the equipment live in the furniture permanently or do you hand it =
out and plug it in on request?

What do you do about security for the equipment?

What happens when the equipment breaks? Do you have a repair or =
replacement budget? How often does the stuff break?

How do you monitor use of the equipment? Do people sign up to use it? =
Do you hold a library card or i.d.? Who monitors usage? Circ.? =
Reference? Someone else (who)?

How is the usage? Is the amount you have meeting the demand?

Do you think the equipment is worth the expense and staff time? Why or =
why not?

We are starting to grapple with some thorny issues =
to=20
determine whether or not to introduce media equipment for public use =
into the=20
library. We would appreciate responses from public libraries which =
have=20
carrels or equipment already, so that we can at least begin to decide =
exactly=20
what direction to take.

Here are a few of our questions:

What kind of equipment do you provide the public for =
use in=20
the library? VCRs? DVD players? Compact Disc music=20
players? Tape players? Other?

Who uses the equipment in the library? Parents =
and=20
children? After school student use? Adults?

Is the equipment high end stuff or inexpensive (like =
boom=20
boxes)? Where do you purchase your equipment (i.e., catalogs, the =
local=20
discount house, etc.)?

Do you have special furniture for the =
equipment? What=20
kind?

Does the equipment live in the furniture permanently =
or do you=20
hand it out and plug it in on request?

What do you do about security for the =
equipment?

What happens when the equipment breaks? Do you =
have a=20
repair or replacement budget? How often does the stuff =
break?

How do you monitor use of the equipment? Do =
people sign=20
up to use it? Do you hold a library card or i.d.? Who =
monitors=20
usage? Circ.? Reference? Someone else =
(who)?

How is the usage? Is the amount you have =
meeting the=20
demand?

Do you think the equipment is worth the expense and =
staff=20
time? Why or why not?